Related Tags:

MUNSTER, Ind. (STMW) – The estranged husband of a Chicago woman is in custody after she apparently beaten to death during a northwest Indiana barricade situation early Tuesday.

Erica Veldinia, 33, of the 10600 block of South Avenue N in Chicago’s East Side section, was pronounced dead at 10:04 a.m., according to the Lake County Coroner’s office.

She suffered a blunt force trauma to the head at 882 Boxwood in Munster, in the Sutton Place Condominiums, near the corner of Calumet Avenue and Main Street.

According to Munster Police, the department responded to a call for a disturbance at the 800 block of Boxwood, and encountered a man outside the residence who claimed he had been battered by his girlfriend’s estranged husband. He said the man was still inside of the residence and was possibly armed.

The man barricaded himself inside the residence, forcing the regional SWAT task force to respond.

The SWAT team deployed a remote-controlled robot inside the residence and the man surrendered.

Police found Veldina with traumatic blunt force injuries to her face and head. She was rushed to Community Hospital for treatment, where she died from her injuries.

Her estranged husband is in custody and charges are pending, according to a release from Munster police.

Munster Police and the Lake County Police Crime Lab are investigating. Munster Police said they would release more information Wednesday.

Already in prison for the murder of his third wife, former Bolingbrook cop Drew Peterson on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to charges he tried to hire a hitman to kill the prosecutor who put him behind bars.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel threw cold water on the Chicago Cubs’ request to begin working on Wrigley Field renovations around the clock, after cold winter weather significantly delayed construction of new bleachers.

After “48 Hours” uncovered evidence that casts doubt on the verdict that sent a teacher to prison for the death of a 16-month-old boy, the Lake County Coroner was calling for authorities to reopen the case.

Video News

CBS Sports Radio and TPC Las Vegas want to send you to the ultimate sports getaway right on the Vegas Strip! Enter now through March 16th for a chance to win a trip to Las Vegas during one of the biggest weekends in college basketball!